March 03, 2008

By IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency (View author info)

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Monday that foreigners should leave the region.

"The regional nations would like foreigners to leave the region," said President Ahmadinejad at a press conference.

President Ahmadinejad said, "In our opinion the Iraqi nation and government can handle their own affairs very well. All should let the Iraqi nation and government manage their country themselves." He said that a powerful and developed Iraq will benefit all nations as well as regional peace, security and stability.

A united and independent Iraq is a gift for all regional states, said Ahmadinejad, adding that all should try to help Iraq gain a status it deserves.

The president said the big powers, being thousands of kilometers away, should avoid interfering in the internal affairs of regional countries and let them run their affairs themselves.

He said the region would be more secure and more peaceful without presence of foreigners and "We think a great service the big powers can offer to the region is their respect for the nations' votes and views."

He went on to say that regional nations have gained nothing from foreigners' presence but ruins, misery, humiliation and insult.

He added, "The big powers themselves, which have come there from thousands of kilometers away, have gained nothing too."

He noted that the only thing the big powers have got in the egion is regional people's more hatred of them.

Addressing Iraqi and foreign media in Iraq, President said he is visiting Iraq upon an invitation of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and in response to his earlier Tehran visit.

He added that in his two day stay in Iraq, he had met and conferred with Iraqi President, prime minister, heads of Iraqi arliamentary commissions and people from different walks of life.

Ahmadinejad said there had been almost ten meetings which were held in friendly and sincere atmosphere.

He added that during the visit seven memoranda of understanding were signed, which would serve as a giant strides towards expansion of bilateral relations.

The Iranian chief executive said establishment of industrial townships and cooperation in insurance, customs, transportation, industry and mining sectors were main provisions of the mutually signed agreements.

He added that furthermore, Iran will implement giant industrial projects in Iraq with a total credit of one billion dollars, that would be provided by Tehran.

The Iranian official said the two sides had also held "constructive" talks on regional issues.

In the meetings, Iranian and Iraqi officials re-emphasized the need for promotion of bilateral ties.

Prior to the press conference, the president told reporters, "The world should know that Iran and Iraq will stand by each other."

Related link: • Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA